Kingsley Nwezeh, Onyebuchi Ezigbo Nume Ekeghe and Adedayo Akinwale in Abujaeh in Abuja
Organised labour, below the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Commerce Union Congress (TUC), has given the federal authorities and the Nigerian Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (NERC) a Could 12 deadline to reverse the hike in electrical energy tariff to N65/kwh or face picketing of the fee’s workplaces and that of Electrical energy Distribution Corporations (DISCOs) nationwide.
NLC directed its state branches and associates to mobilise their members to start picketing of the workplaces of NERC and DISCOs nationwide as from Monday, Could 13.
In a warning letter collectively signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, the 2 labour centres demanded rapid cessation of the discriminatory segregation of electrical energy customers into arbitrary bands.
Additionally they demanded the restoration of the supremacy of the statutes governing the conduct of operators inside the electrical energy trade.
The letter, dated Could 3, 2024 and addressed to Chairman/Chief Government Officer of NERC, urged the regulatory physique to right away reverse the electrical energy tariff hike or face resistance from the employees.
The letter was additionally copied the Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation (SGF), Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Energy, and all of the DISCOs.
Final month, NERC elevated electrical energy tariffs on Band A clients from N65 per kilowatt hour (kwh) to N225/kWh following the federal government’s partial elimination of electrical energy subsidies.
This choice attracted condemnation from electrical energy customers nationwide, together with organised labour and personal sector stakeholders.
Within the letter to NERC, organised labour accused the physique of bias, alleging that it has develop into a tacit collaborator in crafting the oppressive pricing regime being perpetuated in opposition to Nigerian employees and other people.
The assertion mentioned, “That is to refer you to our Could Day handle the place we expressed grave considerations relating to the current announcement of an astronomical hike in electrical energy tariff throughout the nation from N65/kwh to N225/kwh by your fee.
“We consider that this choice is not only morally reprehensible contemplating the difficulties Nigerians are confronted with presently, but it surely blatantly disregards basic ideas and statutory obligations.
“It’s a slap within the face of justice and equity, and we is not going to stand idly by because the lots and employees are subjected to such unacceptable exploitation.
“Because the regulator of the electrical energy sector, it’s crucial that your fee grasps the load of its tasks. NERC’s function entails the regulation of electrical energy tariffs within the nation, an obligation outlined in express element inside the statutes governing the fee.
“But, with this current tariff hike, which you’ve gotten acquiesced, it 1s evident that the fee has forsaken its obligation and deserted the folks it was meant to guard to the fats cats within the electrical energy trade.
“We’re miffed that NERC has develop into a tacit collaborator in crafting the oppressive pricing regime being perpetuated in opposition to Nigerian employees and other people.”
The labour motion mentioned the legal guidelines that arrange the electrical energy fee mandated it to behave as an unbiased ombudsman within the electrical energy trade.
However labour mentioned, sadly, the reverse had been the case, as NERC had acted in cahoots with the DISCQs and the Producing Corporations (GENCOs) to advertise their nefarious market practices.
In line with organised labour, the introduced tariff hike not solely defies the established process mandated by regulation but additionally tramples upon the rights of Nigerian residents.
Labour described the rise as a flagrant abuse of energy and a transparent violation of the belief bestowed upon the fee by the Nigerian folks.
It said within the letter, “Such actions is not going to be tolerated, and we refuse to simply accept them as the brand new norm. Nigerian employees and much, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Commerce Union Congress (TUC), stand united in denouncing this injustice. It’s our obligation to defend the rights of our fellow residents in opposition to exploitation. Due to this fact, we problem the next calls for:
“An instantaneous reversal of the hike in electrical energy tariff to N65/kwh. Speedy cessation of the discriminatory follow of segregating electrical energy customers into arbitrary bands.
“Restoration of the supremacy of the statutes governing the conduct of operators inside the electrical energy trade.
“We provide you with till Sunday, the twelfth day of Could, 2024, to conform. Failure to take action will lead to swift and decisive motion on our half, as we is not going to hesitate to mobilise our members and occupy all NERC’s workplaces and people of the DISCOs nationwide till justice is served.”
Following the deadline issued to NERC and the DISCOs, the management of NLC wrote to all its state branches to mobilise employees in readiness for the picketing.
The letter dated Could 7, 2024 and signed by NLC’s appearing Normal Secretary, Mr. Chris Ufot, mentioned, “Consistent with the directive of the Central Working Committee (CWC) assembly held on thirtieth of April, 2024, I’ve been directed to tell you to start preparation to picket the Nigerian Electrical energy Regulatory Fee and Disco workplaces within the states. The nationwide picketing is slated for Monday, Could 13, 2024.”
In the meantime, the NLC president defended the proposal submitted by labour for a brand new minimal wage of N615,000 for Nigerian employees.
Talking throughout a information programme on Come up Tv on Thursday, Ajaero mentioned the proposed quantity took into consideration the present price of residing within the nation.
He additionally responded to the considerations by employers of labour, particularly these within the non-public sector, saying since the price of items and companies within the nation have skyrocketed, the employees don’t have any selection than to demand commensurate pay rise.
Ajaero mentioned, “We’re asking for lodging of N40,000. We’re asking for electrical energy for N20,000. We take a look at utility that’s about N10,000 and kerosene and gasoline, which is about N25,000 and N30,000.
“We take a look at meals for N9,000 for the household of six, in a day. For 30 days, that’s about N270,000. We take a look at medical for N50,000 and training N50,000, and sanitisation for N10,000.
“Due to subsidy elimination and the truth that employees keep in fringes, that amounted to N110,000. That introduced the entire thing to N615,000.”
“And I need anyone to topic this to additional investigation and discover out if there will likely be any financial savings after these funds.”
